Stately Play

Switch port of Divinity: Original Sin 2 out now

September 5, 2019 David Neumann 8

PC/Mac, Xbox, PS4, Switch So, I haven’t pulled out my Switch much over the last month. In fact, I don’t know if I’ve played with it at all since July. This isn’t for a lack of want–I would love to be playing Slay the Spire on my handheld pretty much all day, every day–but a matter of logistics. Our house was struck by lightning at the end of July causing all sorts of issues. It blew up our Apple TVs, all of our routers, and, for some odd reason, the two Switch cords that were currently plugged in. That’s it. So, our three Switches are down to only one working cord and I just haven’t gotten around to buying more, thus my Switch sits powerless while my kids fight over who gets to charge theirs and when. News from last night, however, forced me onto Amazon and we now have two new cords in the mail. An incredible RPG, Divinity: Original Sin 2, just arrived on Switch and there’s no way I’m not spending the next few weeks in the world of Rivellon.

Local boy makes good

August 30, 2019 David Neumann 9

Hi. Remember me? Yeah, I used to write for this site, sometimes 2-3 articles a day. Seems like it’s shifted to 1-2 articles/month which is a bit, what’s the word…suboptimal. This reminds me of another site from many years ago where our Dear Leader went on a sabbatical and the site–under my guidance–started to go in the toilet. <shrug> Hey! Speaking of Dear Leader, that brings up a little news tidbit. Turns out Owen’s back and started a game publishing house. Weird, huh?

Dicey Dungeons rolls onto PC/Mac/Linux

August 16, 2019 Tanner Hendrickson 3

PC/Mac/Linux Do year hear that? That’s right, it’s the deck-building roguelike alarm! So soon after the last one, too! This time, it’s VVVVVV/Super Hexagon developer Terry Cavanaugh’s Dicey Dungeons, and it’s just wonderful. The pitch? It’s Dream Quest, but instead of building a deck of cards you’re designing your own roll-and-write sheet on which to delegate dice rolls to deal damage and defeat the denizens of these damned dicey dungeons. And it’s a game show!

Nowhere Prophet aims to be your next card game fix

July 19, 2019 David Neumann 10

PC/Mac/Linux I’ve been playing the hell out of Slay the Spire, first on PC and now on my Switch, for months now. You’d think it would get old but it’s still my go-to when I sit on the couch and grab a controller. Starting today, however, StS has some strong competition. Nowhere Prophet from Sharkbomb Studios is a just-released roguelike deckbuilder that adds a ton of story and tactical doodads to differentiate it from other solo deckbuilders on Steam.

Every Single Soldier launches Her Majesty’s Ship today on Steam

July 12, 2019 David Neumann 1

PC, iPad? The previous excursion on the high seas from Every Single Solder was Carrier Deck which plopped you into the real-time boots of a nuclear-powered carrier captain out to solve the world’s problems via air power. It didn’t go over too well with the Stately Players, which was a bummer considering the love levied at their previous non-real-time gems, Vietnam ’65 and Afghanistan ’11. Undaunted, they’ve hit the high seas again, dialing back the clock a bit to the Age of Sail where you command a frigate in the Royal Navy. Welcome to Her Majesty’s Ship.

Become a blockhead: Columbia block wargames coming to your PC

July 9, 2019 David Neumann 9

PC/Mac While I’ve seen them in action at gaming events, I’ve never had the pleasure of sitting down and actually playing one of the ‘Block Games’ from Columbia. First of all, they look complicated. Secondly, tabletop war games tend to not be my go-to game type, and, most importantly, no one’s asked me to sit in and play. This will all change soon, as there’s a Kickstarter currently running to bring these games to PC/Mac. The first game on the list is Richard III and, best of all, it’s already funded.

Handelabra’s latest, Aeon’s End, due for Early Access tomorrow

June 20, 2019 David Neumann 2

PC/Mac/Linux I’m going to admit that, lately, gaming just hasn’t been doing it for me. Oh, I’ve been playing games — older ones, mostly — but there’s very little happening that’s gotten me excited for…well, a long time now. This is changing thanks to our pals at Handelabra. Yet to release a dud, a new Handelabra release is always something to get excited about even if it is just a Steam Early Access launch. So, prepare yourselves for your next Handelabra addiction as Aeon’s End launches tomorrow for PC/Mac/Linux.

Nomad moves Mystic Vale to mobile

June 6, 2019 David Neumann 11

iOS, Android, PC/Mac Right up at the top of my “digital board games that have been around a while and yet I can’t seem to find time to play but really want to and plan to someday when things aren’t so crazy and life settles down and maybe my kids move out of the house and I’m retired” list sits a little gem from Nomad and AEG called Mystic Vale. It’s been available for a bit on Steam now but today it moved to the little leagues. That is, today it released for iOS and Android.

Slay the Spire now slaying on Switch

June 6, 2019 David Neumann 3

PC/Mac/Linux, PS4, Switch We’ve already talked a lot about Slay the Spire and just what an incredible game the folks at Mega Crit have put together. It was in Early Access for forever before releasing for PC/Mac/Linux in January and has been a staple on my hard drive ever since. I can beat the game (or at least get to the end boss) fairly often now, but the fun hasn’t diminished. Each run is a new experience and a new chance to try something a bit different. The only thing missing was being able to play on the go, away from keyboard or console. That was fixed today when Slay the Spire arrived for Switch.

Fort Sumter: The Secession Crisis arrives

May 21, 2019 David Neumann 33

iOS, Android, PC/Mac When we heard about the partnership between GMT Games and Playdek, it was like hearing that your two favorite people were finally tying the knot. I mean, they’re so right for each other! It was only a matter of time before this pairing started to bear fruit and, today, they have their first born! (I’m discounting Twilight Struggle as that was pre-partnership and has turned into a titillating ménage à trois with Asmodee) It’s Fort Sumter and it’s coming to mobile and Steam today. Right now, as a matter of fact.